Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Diagnosis and testing. Removal and installation. Specifications

Shock absorber

REMOVAL

1.  Remove the nut, retainer and grommet from the upper stud in the engine compartment (Fig. 2).
2.  Remove the lower nuts and bolts from the axle bracket.
3.  Remove the shock absorber.

INSTALLATION

1.  Position the lower retainer and grommet on the shock stud. Insert the shock absorber through the shock tower hole.
2.  Install the lower bolts and nuts. Tighten nuts to 23 N·m (17 ft. lbs.).
3.  Install the upper grommet and retainer on the stud. Install the nut and tighten to 22 N·m (16 ft. lbs.).

Coil spring/jounce bumper

REMOVAL

1.  Raise and support the vehicle. Position a hydraulic jack under the axle to support it.
2.  Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.
3.  Mark and disconnect the front propeller shaft from the axle.
4.  Remove lower suspension arms mounting nuts and bolts from the axle (Fig. 2).
5.  Remove the stabilizer bar link and shock absorber from the axle.
6.  Remove the track bar from the body rail bracket.
7.  Remove the drag link from the pitman arm.

Fig. 2 Coil Spring & Shock Absorber

1 - SPRING
2 - SCREW
3 - SPRING RETAINER
4 - NUT
5 - RETAINER
6 - GROMMET
7 - ISOLATOR
8 - BUMPER
9 - SPRING
10 - NUT
11 - SCREW
12 - SHOCK ABSORBER
13 - RETAINER
14 - GROMMET
15 - FRAME
16 - CONTROL ARM

8. Lower the axle until the spring is free from the upper mount. Remove the coil spring clip and remove the spring.
9. Pull jounce bumper out of mount.

INSTALLATION

1.  Install jounce bumper into mount.
2.  Position the coil spring on the axle pad. Install the spring clip and bolt. Tighten bolt to 21 N·m (16 ft. lbs.).
3.  Raise the axle into position until the spring seats in the upper mount.
4.  Install the stabilizer bar links and shock absorbers to the axle bracket.
5.  Install the track bar to the body rail bracket.
6.  Install the lower suspension arms to the axle. Install mounting bolts and nuts finger tight.
7.  Install the front propeller shaft to the axle.
8.  Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
9.  Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
10.  Tighten lower suspension arms nuts to 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.).

STEERING KNUCKLE

For service procedures on the steering knuckle and ball joints refer to Group 3 Differentials And Driveline.

Lower suspension ARM

REMOVAL

1.  Raise and support the vehicle.
2.  Remove the lower suspension arm nut and bolt from the axle bracket.
3.  Remove the nut and bolt from the rear bracket and remove the lower suspension arm (Fig. 3).

INSTALLATION

1.  Position the lower suspension arm at the axle bracket and rear bracket.
2.  Install the bolts and finger tighten the nuts.
3.  Remove support and lower the vehicle.
4.  Tighten the front and rear nuts to 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.).

Fig. 3 Upper and Lower Suspension Arms

1 - BOLT
2 - UPPER ARM
3 - NUT
4 - BOLT
5 - NUT
6 - FRAME RAIL
7 - LOWER ARM
8 - NUT
9 - BOLT
10 - NUT

Upper suspension ARM

REMOVAL

1.  Raise and support the vehicle.
2.  Remove the upper suspension arm nut and bolt at the axle bracket.
3.  Remove the nut and bolt at the frame rail and remove the upper suspension arm (Fig. 3).

INSTALLATION

1. Position the upper suspension arm at the axle and frame rail.
2.  Install the bolts and finger tighten the nuts.
3.  Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
4.  Tighten the nut at the axle to 75 N·m (55 ft. lbs.). Tighten the nut at the frame bracket to 90 N·m (66 ft. lbs.).

Front axle bushing

REMOVAL

1.  Remove the upper suspension arm from axle.
2.  Position Spacer 7932-3 over the axle bushing on a 4x2 vehicle and right side on a 4x4 vehicle.
3.  Place Receiver 7932-1 over flanged end of the bushing. (Fig. 4).
4.  Place small end of Remover/Install 7932-2 against other side of the bushing.
5. Install bolt 7604 through remover, bushing and receiver.
6.  Install Long Nut 7603 and tighten nut too pull bushing out of the axle bracket.

Fig. 4 Bushing Removal

1 - RECEIVER
2 - AXLE BRACKET
3 - BOLT
4 - REMOVER/INSTALLER
5 - LONG NUT

7. Remove nut, bolt, receiver, remover and bushing.

NOTE: On 4x2 vehicle and right side of 4x4 vehicle, leave Spacer 7932-3 in position for bushing installation.

INSTALLATION

1.  Place Receiver 7932-1 on the other side of the axle bracket.
2.  Position new bushing up to the axle bracket., and large end of Remover/Install 7932-2 against the bushing (Fig. 5).
3.  Install bolt 7604 through receiver, bushing and installer.
4.  Install Long Nut 7603 and tighten nut to draw the bushing into the axle bracket.
5.  Remove tools and install the upper suspension arm.

Fig. 5 Bushing Installation

1 - REMOVER/INSTALLER
2 - AXLE BRACKET
3 - BOLT
4 - RECEIVER
5 - LONG NUT

Stabilizer bar

REMOVAL

1.  Raise and support the vehicle.
2.  Remove nuts, retainers and grommets from the links at the stabilizer bar (Fig. 6).
3.  Remove the links mounting nuts and bolts from the axle brackets.
4.  Remove the stabilizer bar clamps from the body rails. Remove the stabilizer bar.

INSTALLATION

1.  Inspect stabilizer bar bushings. Replace bushings if cracked, cut, distorted, or worn.
2.  Position the stabilizer bar on the body rail and install the bushings and clamps. Ensure the bar is centered with equal spacing on both sides. Tighten the bolts to 75 N·m (40 ft. lbs.).
3.  Install the links and grommets onto the stabilizer bar and axle brackets.
4.  Tighten the link nuts at the axle bracket to 95 N·m (70 ft. lbs.).
5.  Tighten the link nuts at the stabilizer bar to 36 N·m (27 ft. lbs.).
6. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.

Track bar

REMOVAL

1.  Raise and support the vehicle.
2.  Remove the cotter pin and nut from the ball stud end at the body rail bracket.
3.  Use a universal puller tool to separate the ball stud from the frame rail bracket.

Fig. 6 Stabilizer Bar (LHD)

1 - RETAINER
2 - GROMMET
3 - BUSHING
4 - CLAMP
5 - STABILIZER BAR
6 - LINK

4. Remove the bolt and flag nut from the axle shaft tube bracket (Fig. 7).
5.  Remove the track bar.

INSTALLATION

1.  Install the track bar at axle tube bracket. Loosely install the retaining bolt and flag nut.
2.  It may be necessary to pry the axle assembly over to install the track bar at the body rail. Install track bar at the body rail bracket. Install the retaining nut on the stud.
3.  Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
4.  Tighten the retaining bolt at the axle shaft tube bracket to 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.).
5.  Tighten the ball stud nut to 81 N·m (60 ft. lbs.). Install a new cotter pin.

Hub bearing

REMOVAL

1.  Raise and support the vehicle.
2.  Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3.  Remove the brake caliper, rotor and ABS wheel speed sensor, refer to Group 5 Brakes.
4.  Remove the cotter pin, nut retainer and axle hub nut (Fig. 8).

Fig. 7 Track Bar (LHD)

1 - NUT
2 - SUPPORT BRACKET
3 - LEFT FRAME RAIL
4 - STUD
5 - SCREW
6 - COTTER PIN
7 - NUT
8 - FRAME BRACKET
9 - NUT PLATE
10 - TRACK BAR
11 - BALL STUD END
12 - NUT

5. Remove the hub bearing mounting bolts from the back of the steering knuckle. Remove hub bearing from the steering knuckle and off the axle shaft.

INSTALLATION

1.  Install the hub bearing and brake dust shield to the knuckle.
2. Install the hub bearing to knuckle bolts and tighten to 102 N·m (75 ft. lbs.).
3.  Install the hub washer and nut. Tighten the hub nut to 237 N·m (175 ft. lbs.). Install the nut retainer and a new cotter pin.
4.  Install the brake rotor, caliper and ABS wheel speed sensor, refer to Group 5 Brakes.
5.  Install the wheel and tire assembly.
6.  Remove support and lower the vehicle.

Wheel mounting studs

CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to remove wheel studs.

REMOVAL

1.  Raise and support vehicle.
2.  Remove wheel and tire assembly.
3.  Remove brake caliper, caliper adapter and rotor, refer to Group 5 Brakes for procedure.
4.  Remove stud from hub with Remover C-4150A (Fig. 9).

INSTALLATION

1.  Install new stud into hub flange.
2.  Install three washers onto stud, then install lug nut with the flat side of the nut against the washers.
3.  Tighten lug nut until the stud is pulled into the hub flange. Verify that the stud is properly seated into the flange.
4.  Remove lug nut and washers.
5.  Install the brake rotor, caliper adapter, and caliper, refer to Group 5 Brakes for procedure.
6.  Install wheel and tire assembly, use new lug nut on stud or studs that were replaced.
7.  Remove support and lower vehicle.

Fig. 8 Hub Bearing & Knuckle

1 - BRAKE SHIELD
2 - WASHER
3 - RETAINER
4 - COTTER PIN
5 - NUT
6 - HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
7 - STEERING KNUCKLE
8 - BOLT
9 - TONE WHEEL (ABS)